VB Blog

Alleged author of creepy FruitFly macOS malware arrested

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 11, 2018

A 28-year old man from Ohio has been arrested on suspicion of having created the mysterious FruitFly malware that targeted macOS and used it to spy on its victims.

Read more  

The threat and security product landscape in 2017

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 10, 2018

At the start of the new year, Virus Bulletin looks back at the threats seen in the 2017 and at the security products that are available to help mitigate them.

Read more  

Spamhaus report shows many botnet controllers look a lot like legitimate servers

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 9, 2018

Spamhaus's annual report on botnet activity shows that botherders tend to use popular, legitimate hosting providers, domain registrars and top-level domains when setting up command-and-control servers.

Read more  

Tips on researching tech support scams

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 5, 2018

As tech support scammers continue to target the computer illiterate through cold calling, VB's Martijn Grooten uses his own experience to share some advice on how to investigate such scams.

Read more  

Meltdown and Spectre attacks mitigated by operating system updates

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 4, 2018

Just four days into the new year, two serious attacks in modern processors, dubbed Meltdown and Spectre, have been discovered. The attacks can be mitigated by patches to the operating system, but anti-virus software vendors need to make sure their products are compatible with the patches.

Read more  

Conference review: AVAR 2017

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 22, 2017

Martijn Grooten reports on the 20th AVAR conference, which took place earlier in December in Beijing, China.

Read more  

Conference review: Botconf 2017

Posted by   Virus Bulletin on   Dec 22, 2017

Virus Bulletin researchers report back from a very interesting fifth edition of Botconf, the botnet fighting conference.

Read more  

VB2017 videos on attacks against Ukraine

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 21, 2017

(In)security is a global issue that affects countries around the world, but in recent years none has been so badly hit as Ukraine. Today, we publish the videos of two VB2017 talks about attacks that hit Ukraine particularly badly: a talk by Alexander Adamov (NioGuard) on (Not)Petya and related attacks, and another by Robert Lipovsky and Anton Cherepanov (ESET) on Industroyer.

Read more  

Facebook helps you determine whether emails really came from its servers

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 21, 2017

On its website, Facebook now shows which emails it has sent you recently, thus helping you to determine which emails are real, and which should be discarded as phishing.

Read more  

Vulnerability disclosure and botnet takedown not to be hindered by Wassenaar Arrangement

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 19, 2017

Clarification in the language of the Wassenaar Arrangement, a multilateral export control regime for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, means those involved in vulnerability disclosure or botnet takedown won't have to worry about acquiring an export licence.

Read more  

Search blog

VB2020 TIPS presentation: Business Email Compromise – Scalable Attribution Powering Industry and Law Enforcement Collaboration

As part of VB2020 localhost we were proud to co-host the Threat Intelligence Practitioners' Summmit (TIPS), put together by the Cyber Threat Alliance. In a series of blog posts we highlight some of the talks presented in the Summit and the important contr…
As part of VB2020 localhost we were proud to co-host the Threat Intelligence Practitioners' Summit (TIPS), put together by the Cyber Threat Alliance. In a series of blog posts we… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/11/vb2020-tips-presentation-business-email-compromise-scalable-attribution-powering-industry-and-law-enforcement-collaboration/

VB2020 TIPS presentation: Collaborating with Competitors: A Better Strategy to Beat Adversaries

As part of VB2020 localhost we were proud to co-host the Threat Intelligence Practitioners' Summmit (TIPS), put together by the Cyber Threat Alliance. In a series of blog posts we highlight some of the talks presented in the Summit and the important contr…
As part of VB2020 localhost we were proud to co-host the Threat Intelligence Practitioners' Summit (TIPS), put together by the Cyber Threat Alliance. In a series of blog posts we… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/11/vb2020-tips-presentation-collaborating-competitors-better-strategy-beat-adversaries/

VB2020 TIPS presentations: cybercrime in the DACH region and ransomware in LATAM

As part of VB2020 localhost we were proud to co-host the Threat Intelligence Practitioners' Summmit (TIPS), put together by the Cyber Threat Alliance. In a series of blog posts we highlight some of the talks presented in the Summit and the important contr…
As part of VB2020 localhost we were proud to co-host the Threat Intelligence Practitioners' Summit (TIPS), put together by the Cyber Threat Alliance. In a series of blog posts we… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/10/vb2020-tips-presentations-cybercrime-dach-region-and-ransomware-latam/

VB2020 TIPS presentation: Intelligence Sharing for Supply Chain Security

As part of VB2020 localhost we were proud to co-host the Threat Intelligence Practitioners' Summmit (TIPS), put together by the Cyber Threat Alliance. In a series of blog posts we highlight some of the talks presented in the Summit and the important contr…
    As part of VB2020 localhost we were proud to co-host the Threat Intelligence Practitioners' Summit (TIPS), put together by the Cyber Threat Alliance. In a series of… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/10/vb2020-tips-presentation-intelligence-sharing-supply-chain-security/

VB2020 localhost is over, but the content is still available to view!

VB2020 localhost - VB's first foray into the world of virtual conferences - took place last week, but you can still watch all the presentations.
VB2020 localhost - VB's first virtual, and entirely free to attend VB conference - took place last week and was a great success, with over 2,700 registered delegates from 84… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/10/vb2020-localhost-over-theres-still-time-view-content/

New additions complete the VB2020 localhost programme

The programme for VB2020 localhost - the first virtual, and entirely free to attend VB conference - is now complete, with new additions to both the live programme and the on-demand programme.
While many kinds of economic activity have decreased during the pandemic, that is not the case for online threats: they have been as prolific as ever and continue to evolve.… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/08/vb2020-localhost-programme-complete/

VB2020 localhost call for last minute papers: a unique opportunity

Why VB2020 localhost presents a unique opportunity for you to share your research with security experts around the globe.
Now in its 30th year, the Virus Bulletin Conference has not only evolved into the annual threat intelligence conference, but also into one of the most international security… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/08/vb2020-localhost-call-last-minute-papers-unique-opportunity/

VB2020 localhost call for last-minute papers now open!

The call for last-minute papers for VB2020 localhost is now open. Submit before 17 August to have your paper considered for one of the nine slots reserved for 'hot' research!
Have you analysed a brand new online threat? Are you involved in cutting edge security research? Are you tasked with securing systems and fending off attacks and developing new… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/07/vb2020-localhost-call-last-minute-papers-now-open/

Announcing... VB2020 localhost

Announcing VB2020 localhost: the carbon neutral, budget neutral VB conference!
Over the last few months the VB team has been hard at work preparing for the virtual edition of VB2020 and we can now reveal... VB2020 localhost: the carbon neutral, budget… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/07/announcing-vb2020-localhost/

VB2019 paper: APT cases exploiting vulnerabilities in region-specific software

At VB2019, JPCERT/CC's Shusei Tomonaga and Tomoaki Tani presented a paper on attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in software used only in Japan, using malware that is unique to Japan. Today we publish both their paper and the recording of their presentat…
APT cases exploiting vulnerabilities in region-specific software Read the paper (HTML) Download the paper (PDF)       Software that is endemic to a specific country… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/05/vb2019-paper-apt-cases-exploiting-vulnerabilities-region-specific-software/

New paper: Detection of vulnerabilities in web applications by validating parameter integrity and data flow graphs

In a follow-up to a paper presented at VB2019, Prismo Systems researchers Abhishek Singh and Ramesh Mani detail algorithms that can be used to detect SQL injection in stored procedures, persistent cross-site scripting (XSS), and server‑side request forger…
VB2019 paper: Catch me if you can: detection of injection exploitation by validating query and API integrity Read the paper (HTML) Download the paper (PDF)   VB2019 paper:… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/04/new-paper-detection-vulnerabilities-web-applications-validating-parameter-integrity-and-data-flow-graphs/

VB2020 programme announced

VB is pleased to reveal the details of an interesting and diverse programme for VB2020, the 30th Virus Bulletin International Conference.
While VB is keeping a careful eye on the global situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the various travel and health advice, the planning and arrangements for VB2020 are… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/04/vb2020-programme-announced/

VB2019 paper: Cyber espionage in the Middle East: unravelling OSX.WindTail

At VB2019 in London, Jamf's Patrick Wardle analysed the WindTail macOS malware used by the WindShift APT group, active in the Middle East. Today we publish both Patrick's paper and the recording of his presentation.
Cyber espionage in the Middle East: unravelling OSX.WindTail Read the paper (HTML) Download the paper (PDF)   The Middle East continues to be a hotbed of APT activity. The… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/04/vb2019-paper-cyber-espionage-middle-east-unravelling-osxwindtail/

VB2019 paper: 2,000 reactions to a malware attack – accidental study

At VB2019 cybercrime journalist and researcher Adam Haertlé presented an analysis of almost 2000 unsolicited responses sent by victims of a malicious email campaign. Today we publish both his paper and the recording of his presentation.
2,000 reactions to a malware attack – accidental study Read the paper (HTML) Download the paper (PDF)   In an illuminating study – possible thanks to a unique perspective on… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2020/03/vb2019-paper-2000-reactions-malware-attack-accidental-study/

We have placed cookies on your device in order to improve the functionality of this site, as outlined in our cookies policy. However, you may delete and block all cookies from this site and your use of the site will be unaffected. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to Virus Bulletin's use of data as outlined in our privacy policy.